Every day, at least two emergency response workers in this country commit suicide. Currently, there is no place where these people in distress can go to seek confidential counseling outside their agencies. This year alone, some 18,000 law enforcement officers will leave their jobs as a result of the stress, both physical and emotional, they deal with every day. The need has never been greater than now to offer a solution to the growing epidemic of traumatic stress related illnesses. This is why Bobby Smith founded the FORTE Foundation with the mission of providing psychological services, educational workshops, and training conferences for emergency service personnel and their families. These services will be available through the FORTE Counseling and Training Center located in Hammond, Louisiana, a facility dedicated to providing a safe haven where emergency services personnel can receive mental and emotional healing at minimum cost to the individual. As you know, our nation’s emergency services personnel risk their lives each day protecting and serving their communities. The post 9-11 era has given the public an intimate understanding of and a new respect for law enforcement and other first responders (firefighters, EMT’s, trauma nurses, and others), the extreme demands of their jobs, and their increased potential for violent victimization. Many will pay the ultimate price with their lives and as a society we honor and pay tribute to their sacrifice and dedication. However, there are other dangers facing these brave men and women besides physical risk and bodily injury that can be just as deadly. This group is particularly vulnerable to unjustified guilt, resentment, and even suicide. Emergency services personnel are a vastly underserved population who often do not seek assistance in coping with these stressful events. FORTE Counseling and Training Center will be able to offer services to these people who are out there every day for us. It’s time we were there for them. Victim of Katrina Cumulative Effects of Exposure to Traumatic Events  Severe psychological trauma  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)  Anger, rage, fear, anxiety  Substance use and/or abuse  Domestic violence  Vicarious Traumatization  Strained partner or family relationships  Suicidal thoughts or attempts  Hopelessness, depression There are no paid employees at FORTE; it is solely operated through volunteers and an active, unpaid Board of Directors. Peer and Pastoral counseling services are free of charge for first responders and their families. Professional counseling services are offered on a sliding fee basis. All donations made to FORTE go towards counseling services, materials, and supplies. Also, donations cover promotional brochures and operating expenses. Future plans include raising funds to hire a counselor(s) and a secretary.